A lack of health literacy, language, and hearing ability can contribute to medication errors, delayed care, avoidable emergency department visits, and hospital readmissions. In this new report, prepared by NC Center for Health and Wellness Research Assistant Andrew Rainey, we look at language and communication access as part of healthcare infrastructure and examines practical ways WNC can improve both access and efficiency.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor care represents one of the most widely used forms of child care, yet it is frequently excluded from policy conversations and funding priorities. FFN childcare is not just a preference; it is a form of community resilience in the face of constrained resources that supports child welfare and education, allows parents to stay in the workforce, and creates jobs within the community. As sustaining resources for our communities, FFN providers must be supported with the tools, resources, and investments they need to thrive while exploring strategies to navigate the larger concerns of our childcare shortage. The Western North Carolina Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) research project, a partnership between the  NC Center for Health and Wellness(NCCHW) at UNC Asheville  and Smart Start of Transylvania County, provides critical insight into one frequently overlooked component of our regional infrastructure.

In this episode, UNCA student intern Emma Hoosier shares her perspective on the healthcare workforce shortage in Western North Carolina. Through her internship experience, she reflects on conversations with local providers and community members about the challenges facing the region — and the potential solutions emerging from local insights, state initiatives, and national policy discussions. She also shares her own path to becoming an intern with the NCCHW, offering a glimpse into how other students in WNC can get involved in public health efforts across the mountains.

The Standing Strong NC campaign raises awareness of the impact of falls in North Carolina and the simple steps that people can take to prevent falls and save lives! Watch our public service announcements and explore StandingStrongNC.org to find action steps that you can take! #StandingStrongNC